A 10-person team, representing five Northern Virginia jurisdictions,
will deploy today to New Orleans as part of the region’s coordinated
response to the area ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.

Drawing from all levels of government – including a county executive,
police chief, emergency managers and regional fire department leadership
– the teams are comprised of senior staff from Arlington, Fairfax,
Loudoun and Prince William counties and the city of Alexandria.

The team, responding to a request from the Emergency Management
Assistance Compact (EMAC), is being led by Prince William County
Executive Craig Gerhart. A mobile convoy will depart from the Fairfax
County Government Center at approximately 5:30 p.m. and deploy to the New
Orleans Emergency Management Center.

The Northern Virginia regional
approach
After Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast, the region’s chief
administrative officers – city and county managers – met during the Labor
Day weekend to discuss how Northern Virginia could most effectively
respond to a request for assistance.

“We quickly realized that the need in the Gulf
Coast region would outstrip any single Northern Virginia jurisdiction’s
ability to respond,” said team leader Gerhart. “Drawing from the region’s
wealth of expertise, we have assembled a multi-jurisdictional,
cross-disciplinary team of highly experienced emergency managers.”

“Our strength is our regional cooperation, and we
do not take a parochial view when dealing with an emergency,” said
Barbara A. Favola, chair of the Northern Virginia Regional Commission.
“In addition to assisting the victims of Katrina, this unique effort
increases our regional ability to respond to a local disaster.”

The Northern Virginia team will replace emergency managers from North
Carolina, who are returning home to prepare for the potential affects of
Tropical Storm Ophelia, which is expected to make landfall in the Tar
Heel State.

Background
Northern Virginia’s regional Incident Support Team was activated on
Sept. 4 to begin planning a joint response to the region affected by
Katrina, and to respond to requests for assistance. It will remain
staffed for as long as the regional team is deployed. The Fairfax County
Alternate Emergency Operations Center has served as the hub for planning
and coordination, bringing together police, fire, emergency management,
public health and other expertise.

Be Ready. Make a Plan
Northern Virginia jurisdictions are also taking this opportunity to
remind the public that September is National Preparedness Month. The
region is participating in a National Capital Region campaign to raise
residents’ emergency preparedness – “Be Ready. Make a Plan.” To find out
more, please visit www.makeaplan.org.

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Note To Media: The Northern Virginia Regional team will depart at
approximately 5:30 p.m. from the Fairfax County Government Center, 12000
Government Center Parkway, Fairfax.

Northern Virginia is among the most diverse,
highly educated and fiscally sound regions in the nation, representing
1.8 million people in 1,300 square miles. The Northern Virginia
economy is outpacing the nation and the region is home to a myriad of
successful corporations and non-profits organizations. The deployed team
represents the five major local jurisdictions in Northern Virginia: City
of Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Loudoun County and
Prince William County.

To request this information in an alternate
format, call the Office of Public Affairs at 703-324-3187, TTY 711